BLOOMBERG: Fanatics Hopes Merchandise Giveaway Will Boost Sports-Betting Effort

Fanatics Inc., the online sports-apparel giant, is offering customers up to $150 in merchandise credit if they sign up for and use its new betting app at the start of the NFL season.

The promotion, which begins Friday and lasts through Sept. 18, is available to new customers placing a cash wager of at least $50, the company said.

Fanatics is trying to stand out in a field already dominated by competitors like FanDuel Inc., the US market leader owned by Irish bookmaker Flutter Entertainment Plc, and DraftKings Inc…